Success Stories

This great organization reminds me of Christ washing the feet of his Apostles. These saints do a tremendous job and perform in a very loving manner.

Most of my life I worked various jobs through temp agencies including: a car wash, food service, and building maintenance. I love living in Over-the-Rhine and very happy with all the changes to the neighborhood. Gentrification did push some people out, but now the neighborhood is more liveable, clean and safe for everyone than it was in the 1980’s when I arrived. The changes in the neighborhood have brought new pride and a new partnership into the community. People who come to the Dining Room are not outcasts here, but they are welcomed with love and no judgement.

I was born St. Patrick’s Day in Youngstown, Ohio and named after my father. In 2017, I got stranded in Cincinnati after riding a Greyhound bus with a friend. I am a very proud mother of seven children – 5 sons, 1 daughter and 1 infant deceased. My children range in ages 31 to 21 years old. I am not able to work but I do receive some SSI. I LOVE coming to the Dining Room because I love the staff who are really sweet. They make me feel very welcome and safe. The coffee and bag lunch are my favorite.

Born into a family of 12 boys, I spent my childhood in the infamous Cabrini Green housing project on the south side of Chicago. After being shot at close range with a sawed off shot gun, I left Chicago in 1986. The shooter was a gang member who wanted me to sell drugs for him. Although I never married, I have 2 daughters and am very proud that both finished high school.

I am a native Cincinnatian, raised on the city’s west side and a high school graduate. As an only child, who never married and has no children, I have worked many jobs throughout my lifetime including: factory work, maintenance, building security and at local restaurants. Currently, I live in a subsidized apartment near Over-the-Rhine and receive SSI since 2016. A daily visit to the Dining Room gives me an opportunity to socialize with other guests and the volunteers. Everyone is so nice at St. Francis Seraph Ministries and the free food is really good. The rules are enforced and problem guests are dealt with right away so I am never afraid coming to the Dining Room because fighting is not tolerated.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, I am proud of my educational achievements which include earning a GED and an Associate Degree in Business Management. Due to 2 car accidents in 2017, injuries prevent me from full time employment. I learned about the Dining Room when taking a Sarah Center jewelry class. Now, I am a guest and a volunteer. I really like how friendly the place is and how the food is always good. I know how important places like this are for the whole community. Volunteering in the Dining Room makes me feel good. Giving back always feels so good. The Dining Room helps me keep a positive perspective on my own struggles.

Job Skills Learned

The Sarah Center’s #Stitched# program helped me get a full-time job.

Discovered Sewing Talent

I was excited and looked forward to the next class and discovering a talent in sewing. I was surprised at my flash back to my early childhood of my grandmother and aunts sewing.

Learned a Wide Variety of Skills

I really like learning all the skills. It inspires creativity. I think we learned a very wide variety of skills. I am a happy student!!

Wonderful Class

I really enjoyed the humor and the sharing that we all experienced. Lois, the teacher, made learning a lot of fun. Wonderful class.

Learned Basic Sewing Skills

I liked the content being taught, basic sewing skills like backstitching and threading the machine. I also enjoyed the projects and the facts that they got progressively harder. I talked with my mom about how much I love the class – now she has signed up for the next class.

Learned Hand Sewing

I really loved this class and I was happy that we started with hand sewing. I also enjoyed the challenges.